Insulated housing having a controllable interior environment

ABSTRACT

A shell with a controllable indoor climate. The shell may house plants, such as produce, for farming purposes. The shell may be made of scalable structurally insulated panels. Within the shell may be trays for facilitating the growth of the plants. Lighting, climate, and nutrients may be controlled for the proper growth of the plants.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/175,252, filed on Jun. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/851,279, filed on Sep. 11, 2015, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,357,718, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/854,650, filed on Apr. 1, 2013, which claims the benefit ofprovisional U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 61/619,206, filed on Apr.2, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an indoor farming device and methodand, more particularly, to an indoor farming device that may include ashell for facilitating plant growth within.

Nutrient rich farms are becoming scarce, are contaminated by chemicals,and are plagued with environmental issues. Meanwhile, the demand forfood is becoming greater every year. In addition, genetically modifiedorganisms (GMO) are becoming more and more common and the organicfarmers will soon be forced to change their growing techniques to avoidcross contamination and thereby maintain their organic certifications.

Current practices include produce traveling on an average of 2,000 milesbefore reaching a grocery store. Further, the produce may be days toweeks old by then, and may lose most of its nutritional value. This maygreatly increase the risk of disease, contamination and making the useof preservatives mandatory to extend shelf life. Today's food shortages,droughts, water shortages and global climate change, along with worldpopulation growth, have compromised our food production supply. Expertsare actively concerned as organizations are struggling to findalternative ways to produce local food, which would eliminate majortravel time, save fuel, and eliminate high water crop consumption.

A majority of hydroponics farming systems use greenhouse environmentsand control systems. Although those systems are effective they take up alot of land, are not insulated to be used in extreme hot or coldclimates, and are difficult to control the environment.

As can be seen, there is a need for a plant facilitation device thatallows users to grow plants in a controlled environment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a housing for the facilitationof plant growth comprises: a shell comprising a plurality of wallscomprising a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first side and a secondside, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a plurality of structuralinsulated panels; at least one tray within the shell, wherein the trayis configured to contain plants; at least one lighting fixture withinthe shell oriented to project light onto the at least one tray; and atleast one door attached to at least one of the plurality of walls tofacilitate entry to an inside of the shell.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of using a housingfor the facilitation of plant growth comprises: placing at least oneplant, nutrients and water into the at least one tray; placing the atleast one tray onto the at least one cartridge; inserting the at leastone cartridge into the shell through the at least one door; andsituating the light fixture over the plant.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overview of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cartridge illustrated with trays;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 illustratedwithout the trays for illustrative clarity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail view of the present invention along line5-5 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the shell of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in thespecific context where each term is used, Certain terms that are used todescribe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternativelanguage and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the termsdiscussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed uponwhether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms forcertain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification including examples of any terms discussed herein isillustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of theinvention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is notlimited to various embodiments given in this specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control. As used herein,“around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein areapproximate, meaning that the term “around”, “about” or “approximately”can be inferred if not expressly stated. As used herein, when a numberor a range is recited, ordinary skill in the art understand it intendsto encompass an appropriate, reasonable range for the particular fieldrelated to the invention.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a shell with acontrollable indoor climate. The shell may house plants, such asproduce, for farming purposes. The shell may be made of structuralinsulated panels. Within the shell may be trays for facilitating thegrowth of the plants. Lighting, climate, and nutrients may be controlledfor the proper growth of the plants.

The present invention may include a scalable farming solution, which mayinclude a structurally insulated controlled growing environment withdigitally controlled hydroponics vertical cartridge system. The presentinvention provides a turn-key vertical farming solution that may helpprovide produce commercially and independently in food deserts. Thepresent invention may use 85% less water, 95% less fossil fuels, anddoes not need pesticides or fertilizers.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may implement structuralinsulated panels (SIP) to accurately control the farming environment.Additionally, combining vertical farming systems and a scalable farmingapproach, the present invention may be customized for farmers' needs.The present invention may produce crops all year around, cut harvesttimes in half and provide 20 to 30 times more than traditionalgreenhouse farming methods.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention may include ashell 10. The shell 10 may include multiple walls including a front, aback, a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side. The walls may besupported by a frame 30. The walls may be made of panels 14, such asstructural insulated panels (SIPs). Integrated within the panels 14 mayinclude electrical outlets and conduits.

The SIPs may be made of building material and may consist of aninsulating layer of polymer foam 14 a sandwiched between two layers ofstructural board 14 b. The board may be made of, thermoplastic substratelaminate, sheet metal, cement, oriented strand board or the like. Thethermoplastic substrate laminate may be made from continuousby-directional fiberglass reinforced polypropylene resin. The foam mayinclude expanded polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam,polyisocyanurate foam, polyurethane foam or the like. As illustrated inFIG. 6, each wall may include one panel 14. However, as illustrated inFIG. 1, each wall may be constructed of a plurality of panels 14.

In certain embodiments, the shell 10 of the present invention mayinclude at least one door that may be opened and closed to gain accessto the inside of the shell 10. For example, the shell 10 may include adoor 18 on the first side, second side, front and/or back. In certainembodiments, the shell 10 may include a roll-up door 20 on the front orback. The roll-up door 20 may be used to easily insert and removeequipment from the inside of the shell 10.

The shell 10 may contain the equipment of the present invention in atemperature controlled environment. The equipment may include, but isnot limited to, trays 22, cartridges 12, light fixtures 26, and thelike. The trays 22, may be containers that contain and facilitate thegrowth of plants. In certain embodiments, the cartridges 12 may be usedto support the trays 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The cartridges 12 maybe made of stainless steel and a water proof powder coating

The cartridges 12 may include at least one rack 24. The cartridges 12may be customized to size and consist of a series of levels of racks 24.In certain embodiments, each level may be adjusted vertically dependingon plant height. In certain embodiments of the invention, the bottom ofeach level of racks 24 may support a lighting fixture 26. In certainembodiments, at the bottom of the cartridges 12 may be tracks 28designed for forklifts and thereby may be easily removed from the shell10 for planting, harvesting and maintenance purposes.

As mentioned above, the present invention may include lighting fixtures26. The lighting fixtures 26 may be directed to supply light to theplants that are contained within the trays 22. For example, the lightingfixtures may hang over the trays 22. As illustrated in FIG. 5, thelighting fixture 26 may hang from an above rack 24 within the cartridges12. The lighting fixture 26 may also hang from the top of the shell 10.

In certain embodiments, the lighting fixture 26 may include acombination of light emitting diodes (LED) and fluorescent lightsmounted above the trays. The light fixtures may be turned on and offbased on a preset time schedule. The LED lights may consist of blue andred spectrum. The fluorescent lights may be high intensity high outputlights. The lights 26 may be interchangeable within a reflective hoodsystem. The reflective hood may be attached above the lights to disburselight to cover a greater surface area. The hoods may be attached anddetached from the cartridge system.

The shell 10 of the present invention may further include mechanisms forheating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC). The shell 10 may furtherinclude mechanisms that control humidity, pH levels, EC levels, CO2levels, nutrient levels and water input. In certain embodiments, all ofthe mechanisms listed above and including the light fixtures 26 may becontrolled by a digital central control system. Using the controlsystem, the conditions within the shell 10 may be monitored from remotelocations with the appropriate software. The control systems may furthercollect data to help improve and monitor farming practices.

Although the illustrations provide a vertical farming system, thepresent invention may also provide a shell and selected equipment for asingle level growing system where efficiency of space is not a priority.Solar power, wind power and other forms of alternative energy may beadded to run climate controlled mechanisms. Additional, aquaponicsolutions may be integrated into our hydroponics systems to providenutrients.

The following provides a method of making the device. First, the shellmay be made by constructing a facility using SIP's panels and a mediumweight steel frame. Then, the HVAC, electrical, ventilation, drainageand point of entry components made be installed. In addition, thehydroponics vertical cartridges may be made and inserted into the shell.When complete the correct sensors and other control systems andmechanisms may be installed to finalize the turn key environment.

The following provides a method of using the device: placing at leastone plant, nutrients and water into the at least one tray; placing theat least one tray onto the at least one cartridge; inserting the atleast one cartridge into the shell through the at least one door;situating the light fixture over the plant; and controlling the climatewithin the shell.

The present invention may be used in food deserts. A food desert can bedefined as an area that does not have farm land to produce crops oradverse temperatures that do not allow crop production. An example mayinclude a highly populated city environment, a desert in Africa or on aship. The present invention may provide a sustainable local foodsolution into communities in need. Consumers may use the farmingfacilities of the present invention in food deserts.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A housing having a controllable interiorenvironment, said housing comprising: a shell having a plurality ofwalls including a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall,and first and second side walls; each of said walls each comprising atleast one modular structural insulated panel, whereby said shell ismodular with the number of panels used allowing the size of said shellto be fabricated to a desired scale; at least one of said wallsincluding an insulated door; a cartridge sized for removable insertionwithin said shell through said door; said cartridge supporting aplurality of vertically spaced trays for containing plant matter; saidplurality of vertically spaced trays being simultaneously removed fromsaid shell upon removal of said cartridge; and a plurality of lightsdisposed within said shell and configured such that light is projectedonto each of said trays.
 2. A housing having a controllable interiorenvironment, said housing comprising: a shell having a plurality ofwalls including a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall,and first and second side walls; each of said walls each including aplurality of modular structural insulated panels, whereby said shell ismodular with the number of panels used allowing the size of said shellto be fabricated to a desired scale; at least one cartridge sized forremovable insertion within said shell, said cartridge supporting aplurality of vertically spaced trays for containing plant matter; aplurality of lights disposed within said shell and configured such thatlight is projected onto each of said trays; at least one of said wallsincluding an insulated door; and said plurality of vertically spacedtrays being removed from said shell with the removal of said at leastone cartridge.
 3. A method of growing plants within a housing having acontrollable interior environment, said method comprising: providing ashell having a plurality of walls including a front wall, a back wall, atop wall, a bottom wall, and first and second side walls, each of saidwalls each including a plurality of modular structural insulated panels;said shell including a door; providing at least one cartridge sized forremovable insertion within said shell through said door, said cartridgesupporting a plurality of vertically spaced trays, said verticallyspaced trays being removable as a unit with removal of said at least onecartridge; placing at least one plant, nutrients, and water into each ofsaid trays; said shell including a plurality of lights disposed thereinand configured such that light is projected onto each of said trays;controlling the interior of said shell by maintaining air temperatureand humidity within desired ranges.